How to Write a Thank You Email after an Interview

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From Ladders

Landing an interview for a job you are interested in is an exciting first step. Prior to your interview, you probably spent a lot of time preparing for the questions you might be asked, carefully choosing the right outfit to wear, and practicing your best smile.

However, after your interview, your work is not done. It is important to follow up with your interviewers with a quick note. A thank you email after your interview not only shows your gratitude but also keeps your name top of mind. In this guide, you’ll learn why an interview thank you email is important, what to include in your note, what not to include, and review some examples of how to write the letter.

Read More: 5 Strategies for Impressing Someone in A Job Interview

Why you should send a thank you letter after an interview

A thank you email after your interview is an important final step in the interview process. This email serves a few key purposes.

• Showing your gratitude: First and foremost, an interview thank you email is exactly what it sounds like — a chance to say thanks! Your interviewers invest time into sitting down for an interview with you, whether in-person or via a video call. Sharing a quick thank you shows that you are a considerate person who values the time of others.
• Reinforcing your strengths: Along with saying thank you, an email post-interview gives you the opportunity to quickly touch on a few of the reasons why you’d make a great fit for the position. It is a wonderful way to remind your interviewers of your skills and accomplishments in a quick, concise way. This is particularly important when multiple people are interviewing for the role. It can be hard for hiring managers to keep track of who they spoke with, but a thank you email helps you stay top of mind.
• Covering topics you missed: During your interview, there may have been a few key points you didn’t get a chance to cover. A thank you letter after your interview is the perfect way to quickly touch on those topics.

What to include in a thank you note after an interview

When you write your interview thank you email, you’ll want to be sure to include a few key components. These items will help your email read professionally and will make the best use of your follow-up correspondence.

• A catchy subject line: Make sure to add a subject to your email to help it stand out. Include something about the job and your interview.
• A by-name greeting: Be sure to address your interviewer by name. If more than one person interviewed you, send a thank you note to each person individually. This helps showcase that you paid attention to the person with whom you spoke.
• Personalization: Make sure to write your thank you note after your interview to allow you the opportunity to personalize the letter. Include a quick recap of your conversation as well as specifics related to the company and job.
• A highlight of your skills: In the second half of your thank you email, be sure to reinforce why you are a good fit for the role. Something as simple as calling out how your experience lines up with the position or reminding your interviewer of an accomplishment that would contribute to the company are excellent ways to put your name at the top of their list.
• A sincere thanks: A thank you interview email wouldn’t be complete without taking a moment to express your gratitude.
• An invitation for further discussion or questions: As you wrap up your email, be sure to invite the hiring manager to reach out with any questions and call out that you look forward to speaking again soon.
• Your contact information: Make sure to close out your email with your name, email address, and phone number.

What not to include in a thank you email after an interview

To make your thank you note after an interview a professional letter, make sure to avoid these no-nos:

Casual tone: While you want to come across as personable in your email, keep your tone professional. Avoid the use of slang, emojis, or abbreviations.

Aggressive approach: A thank you note is a great way to take a proactive approach to landing a job. However, avoid writing a letter that sounds too aggressive. Ultimately, the hiring manager will decide based on what they learned in your interview. Badgering a hiring manager with too many emails or too strong of an approach can come off as rude.

Errors: Always run your email through a spelling and grammar check. Consider having another person read your email before hitting send to ensure the note doesn’t contain any errors.

A lengthy explanation: While you do want to include a quick recap of the interview and your strengths, make sure you keep your note concise. This email should not be a rewrite of your full resume and cover letter. It should be a quick summary.

Read More: Tips for Getting Hired During a Phone Interview

Thank you for the interview examples

As you sit down to write your thank you note, use the following thank you letter after interview samples to help you get started.

Example 1:

Subject Line: Re: Storage Manager Thank You for Today’s Interview

Dear Mr. Knight,

I was happy to sit down and speak with you today about the storage manager position at ABC Storage Company in Springfield. The role seems to be a perfect match for my previous management experience.

The unique challenge that the property is currently facing with high vacancy rates is something I look forward to tackling with custom strategies.

In addition to my experience as a storage manager, I will bring to the team strong communication skills, a passion for mentoring my employees, and a data-backed approach to store tactics.

I want to say thank you for the time you took to conduct an interview with me. I am excited about this role and look forward to speaking with you again soon. Please, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Rosemary Light

rosemary.light@exampleemailcompany.com

777-666-5555

Example 2:

Subject Line: Digital Marketing Specialist Interview Follow-Up

Dear Ms. Stanford,

It was a delight to sit down with you today via a video call to discuss the digital marketing specialist role at ABC Agency. The position seems to be a perfect match for my previous experience as a digital marketing strategist, and your company values align with my personal values.

The proposed work you outlined in our call today excites me, as I am passionate about using social media to engage with new customers. In fact, recently, I helped one of my clients grow their social leads by 150% through strategic campaign customization.

In addition to my experience as a digital marketing strategist, I will bring to your team enthusiasm, excellent communication skills, and a desire to implement revenue-driving strategies.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me today. I look forward to speaking with you again soon. Please, reach back out if you have any further questions for me.

Sincerely,

Jason Cranston

Jason.Cranston@exampleemailcompany.com

777-666-5555

When to send your thank you note

When should you send your thank you email after an interview? Ideally, the sooner, the better. Never let more than 24 hours pass between your interview and your email. This will help ensure that the person you spoke with still remembers who you are.

Read More: 3 Signs It’s Time to Take Something off of Your Resume

For all the tips and resources you need to make your next job application a success, be sure to head over to our career resource center, where you’ll find guides covering everything from resume writing tips to interviewing skills.

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